- Wolves forward Cunha is unlikely to sign a new deal before the window closes
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Nottingham Forest have been the surprise success story of the season, riding high in third place and well-positioned to land their first European adventure since the 1995-96 campaign.
They were once ridiculed for their seemingly scattergun recruitment policy, but their owners have been proven right as a string of players let go by supposedly bigger clubs have led their charge towards a Champions League place.
But they are by no means there yet, with Manchester City and Newcastle breathing down their necks and Chelsea, Bournemouth and Aston Villa also in the mix.
So there is still room to improve for the ever-ambitious Evangelos Marinakis, especially with a daunting run coming up which will see Forest face Newcastle, City and Arsenal in consecutive games.
With that in mind, there is still a lot that can change in the final few days of the January window and here, our Nottingham Forest expert TOM COLLOMOSSE answers the five key transfer questions facing the club.
What business have Forest done so far in January and will they be happy with it?
Known in recent years for their activity in the market, Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo’s priority this window has been to keep his key players at the City Ground.
Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo is desperate to keep his star men at the City Ground this month
Their only deal so far has been to bring back free agent goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey (seven months after he was released by the club) and send defender Andrew Omobamidele on loan to Strasbourg.
What more do they need to do and do they have money to spend?
Though Forest have most bases covered, they lack reliable cover for top scorer Chris Wood and would look significantly weaker if he were to have a spell on the sidelines.
Chris Wood has been a revelation but does not have a back-up or someone to give him a break
Between now and the end of the window, Forest will try hard to bring in a proven alternative in attack – while being careful with to stay within the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations.
Which signings are they targeting?
Wolves forward Matheus Cunha is unlikely to sign a new deal before the window closes and Forest are among the clubs watching the situation closely – though the likely fee of about £60million for the 25-year-old is steep.
Wolves star Matheus Cunha is on Forest’s radar but the £60m asking price may prove too high
Brentford’s Yoane Wissa is another player Forest are chasing in their bid to add depth in attack
Yoane Wissa has been one of the stars of the season, with 11 goals and two assists in the league, and the Brentford man is another on Forest’s radar.
Who could still leave?
If Forest are to sign an attacker, they need to make a sale first, which is why they will allow Taiwo Awoniyi to join another club.
Taiwo Awoniyi’s time at Forest looks to be coming to an end, with Wood in superb form up front
The Nigerian is an effective No 9 at this level but injury problems have blighted his Forest career.
It remains to be seen whether West Ham, or another club, would be prepared to overlook those to bring in the 27-year-old.
Which players have stepped up in January and could be ‘like a new signing’ for the rest of the season?
Nuno has been so loyal to his regulars that it has been difficult for those on the fringes to make a serious impact.
James Ward-Prowse, on loan from West Ham, has struggled to make an impact at Forest
Yet Forest looked tired in their last matches, against Southampton and Bournemouth, and Nuno may feel the need to shuffle his pack now.
Alex Moreno, Ramon Sosa, Jota Silva and James Ward-Prowse will all be hoping for more action.
